- The city of Shelby is proposing industrial incentive grants worth $1.35 million over a 20-year period and a one-time cash grant worth $250,000 to encourage a company to construct and operate a new manufacturing facility.

Leaders are scheduled to discuss incentives today for a proposed economic development project in west Shelby.

Cleveland County and city of Shelby leaders are expected to vote on incentives packages for a proposed industrial development at 641 Plato Lee Road, near PPG Industries.

The economic development project - for which the company has not been announced - is expected to bring 189 new full-time permanent jobs to the region over the next six years and a potential $45 million investment to the county, according to legal documents provided by the city of Shelby and Cleveland County.

The project is a partnership between the city and county.

Both entities will hold public hearings today, where residents can get more information and voice concerns about the proposed project.

“The public has a right to come in and say whether this is a bad or good idea,” said Shelby City Manager Rick Howell. “We have to make the public aware that the city is potentially offering an incentive about a company potentially coming here.”

The county is required by state law to hold a public hearing any time an incentive agreement is approved, said County Manager Eddie Bailes.

“Hopefully we will be able to make the announcement for the company itself in a couple of weeks,” Bailes said.

Both Shelby City Council and the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners are expected to vote on incentives plans after the public hearings.

The potential development brings an expected cost of about $580,000 in water, sewer and natural gas improvements on the property, according to Shelby documents.

The city is anticipating a grant from the NC Department of Commerce to pay for the water and sewer infrastructure improvements for the property. Funds from the city’s natural gas reserve fund are expected to pay for natural gas improvements for the project.

“The Shelby City Council believes that (the project) will stimulate and provide stability for the local economy,” according to Shelby city documents. “It further believes this project will provide local economic benefits for the citizens of the city of Shelby through an increase in sales tax revenues, increased purchases of local goods and services…”

- The city of Shelby is proposing industrial incentive grants worth $1.35 million over a 20-year period and a one-time cash grant worth $250,000 to encourage a company to construct and operate a new manufacturing facility.

- The county is proposing industrial incentive grants worth $1.3 million over a 10-year period to encourage a company to construct and operate a new manufacturing facility.

Sources: City of Shelby, Cleveland County

Want to learn more?

- Shelby City Council public hearing at 9 a.m. today in city council chambers off Graham Street

- Cleveland County Commissioners public hearing at 10 a.m. today in commissioners chambers off East Marion Street

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Star reporters Alicia Banks and Jessica Pickens will tweet live from the public meetings today. Follow @TheStarAlicia for coverage of Shelby City Council. Follow @StarJPickens for coverage of Cleveland County commissioners.